Controlling-valve for vapor-lamps.



A. H. S. SWAN.

CONTROLLING VALVE POR VAPOR LAMPS. APrLmATIoNHLnp 11:11.25, 1911A 1,008,390, Y Patented Nov. 14, 1911.

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. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED H. S. SWAN, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO ROCHESTER STA MIIPING COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK` CONTROLLING-VALVE FOR VAPOR-LAMPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 14, 1911.

To all wofm, 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED H. S. SWAN, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Controlling-Valves :for Vapor-Lamps; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,

- clear, and exact description of the same,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specilication, and Vto the `reference-numerals marked thereon.

My present invention relates to vapor lamps, and has for its object to provide one adapted particularly for burning the gas generated from alcohol, or oil, the parts of which are so a-rranged that volatilization of the oil may be had and an intense flame obtained which may be burned continuously.

My invention has for its further object to provide in conjunction with the regulating valve a vent or exhaust passage for the escape of any surplus gas generated and unconsumed when the burner is adjusted for a moderate or small flame and a chamber for condensing such portions of the gas whereby the oil or other fluid may be returned to the body of the lamp or preferably introduced' into the wick tube.

To these and other ends the invention consists in certain improvements and combinations of parts all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the endo the specification.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is an enlarged vertical section of a vapor lamp illustrating one embodiment of my present invention, and Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view, in elevation, of a valve portion of the lamp.

Similar reference numerals throughout the several figures indicate the same parts.

The lamp illustrated for the purpose of showing the present embodiment of my invention, comprises a base or font preferably made in the form of a sheet metal cup, having the bottom 1 and side walls 2 within the upper edges of which is arranged a top or cover rigidly connected thereto by the seam or joint 3 at the edges. The top yis depressed to form an annular overflow space 4 within which is located the filling aperture normally closed by the screw cap 5. The centralV elevated portion 6 of the cover provides an expansion chamber for the font, and arising centrally therefrom is a neck 7. Attached to the bottom of the font in alinement with the neck 7 is a co1- lar 8 provided with a rolled screw thread and adapted to receive the correspondingly threaded lower end of the wick tube L0, the latter and the collar 9 being both provided with apertures 11, permitting the alcohol or oil contained in the font to flow irto the interior of the wick tube.

The wick tube is closed at its upper end as indicated at 12 and located a short distance below it is a gas collecting chamber 13 preferably in lthe form of an annular ring composed of upper and lowerpieces 14.- and 15 joined together as indicated at 16, and permanently attached tothe outer Wall of the wick tube. The gas collecting chamber is in communication with the interior of the wick tube and forms a` reservoir for the gas generated therein. This chamber is provided with a plurality of small perforations 17 forming gas jet orilices which are arranged in proximity to the wall of the wick tube and are sufficient in number so that the gas jets impinging against the walls of the tube will keep the latter at the required temperature to generate the gas required for the operation of the burner under various conditions.

The burner proper consists of an annular ring 18 with a diameter slightlyV in excess of that of the generating chamber, but arranged concentrically therewith so that it is not directly above the orifices 17, thus not only allowing the liame to be distributed over a greater area but also permitti ag-the heat from the jets 17 to be .applied tol a ves'- sel superposed over the burner. The ring 18 is supplied with gas from the collecting chamber 13 by means of feed pipes 19` extending upwardly and outwardly from said chamber and preferably located at equidistant points around the wick tube so that equal quantities of gas will be distributed to all parts of the burner and permitting the numerous separate streams of 'gas 1ssuing from the burner orifices 17 to1 be of equal volume and intensity.-

The wick tube contains the wick SlO and at one side it is provided with a longitudinally extending partition wall 21- which is separated from the proximate side f the tube to form a gas collectmg space 212, said wall being connected to the tube onliy at its ends, thus providing free egress or the gas around the edges of the wall.

One of the greatest dilliculties which has been experienced in connection with lamps of this character, especiallywhen they are made small in size, is the inability to control or regulate the size ofthe burner llame without causing the contents of the font to become unduly heated. This has been due in part, at least, t-o the fact that when the outflow of the gas generated is restricted for the purpose of reducing the intensity of the flame, the surplus gas creates a back pressure in the generator and works its way downwardly in the wick tube seeking the outlet at its lower end, the result being that the fluid in the font soon becomes heated thus producing a condition which may be the cause of serious damage. In order to obviate these difliculties and to provide a burner which may be made small in size and capable of adjustment, to enable a low llame, if such is desired, to be burned continuously, there is provided in conjunction with a valve-controlled passage, leading from the interior of the wick tube to the gas collecting chamber, a by-pass or exhaust passage discharging into the atmosphere. These two passages are arranged relatively to each other, both in respect to size and location so that. a single valve mechanism may be employed 'for regulating them, and the outer end of the by-pass, or exhaust passage, is preferably located at a point somewhat remote from the burner to prevent the possibility of the vapor escapmg therefrom becoming ignited from the exposed burner flames. A further difficulty may occasionally be experienced in discharging the excess vapor into the atmosphere, due to the fact that under certain conditions of temperature condensation of the vapor may occur as it issues from the outlet, permitting the fluid to drip onto the table or stand on which the lamp is su ported, causing serious damage to its sur ace. In order to obviate this and entirely prevent a dripping of the fluid at the point of discharge, I provide, in conjunction with the by-pass or exaust passage, an enlarged condensing chamber from which a return passage leads to the gas chamber, or liquid fuel reservoir.

In the arrangement of the arts, which I haveshown as illustrative of) one embodiment of this feature of my invention, there is provided a valve casing 23 attached to the side of the wick tube beneath the gas collecting chamber 13, and provided with a passage 24 forming a means of communication between said chamber and tube, and within this passage is located the valve seat 25. The valve 26 has its inner end adapted to coperate with the valve seat, and secured to its outer extremity is a collar 27 to which is attached a perforated sleeve 28 provided at its outer end with an adjust-ing knob or handle 29, held in 31 perforated at 32 forming a vent, as will be further described. The valve is threaded into the sleeve or gland 33, fitted within the outer end of the casing 23, which also comprises the packing 34. The valve head is provided at its forward and rear ends with separate longitudinally extending passages 35 and 36 from the adjacent ends of which are transversely extending perforations 37 and 38 both leading into an annular enlargement 39 formed in the valve casing 23. The outer end of the chamber 39 forms a shoulder 40, which lies in rear of the transverse perforations 37, and is adapted to act as a place by a pin 30 and nut soy shut-off for the by-pass, or exhaust passage,

when the valve is moved outwardly, to permit the gas to pass from the generating chamber into the collecting chamber and thence to the burner. The diameter of the perforation or perforations 37 is such that during rotation of the valve, they will gradually open and close as the valve is advanced toward or retracted from its seat, thus permitting a proportional relationship between the by-pass or exhaust passage and the burner supply passage 24 to be always maintained.

Attached to the sleeve or collar 33 is a cylindrical casing 41, which constitutes the gas condensing chamber, this being provided at its outer end with a flange 42 closely ltting the sleeve 28. Leading from the condensing chamber 41 to the wick tube or generator, is a tube 43. The latter is offset at 44 entering the wick tube at a point slightly beneath the valve casing, at one side of the chamber 21. At a convenient point in the tube a union or coupling 45 is provided which facilitates assembling the parts.

There is afforded by the present invention,

va readily constructed and eHective means for condensing the surplus gas as it passes from the generator to the atmosphere, when only a comparatively small amount is being consumed at the burner, thus obviating the undesirable dripping of the liquid onto the table or stand at the usual exhaust outlet, caused by the rapid condensation.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a vapor lamp, the combination witha generating chamber, a burner and means for regulating the flow of vapor from the chamber to the burner comprising a valve casing and an adjustable valve head, said casing and head having coperating passages permitting'- the escape of excess gas from the generator, of a chamber for receiving the excess gas and condensing it.

2. In a vapor lamp, the combination with a source of supply of liquid fuel, a generating chamber, a burner,and a valve casing havmg a passage connecting them and provided with a recess, of a valve head for closing said connecting passage and also provided with passages which coperate with said recess to permit the escape of excess gas from the generator, and a chamber receiving the excess gas and a pipe connecting said chamber with the source of supply.

3. The combination with a vapor burner, a gas generator and a chamber for condensing gas generated in excess of that consumed by the burner, of a valve casing and a cooperating valve head for controlling the flow of gas from the generator to the burner,

said parts being provided with passages adapted to coperate to open communication between the generator and condensing chamber when the valve is closed or partly closed.

4. The combination with a vapor burner, a gas generator, and a chamber for condensing gas generated in excess of that consumed by the burner, of a valve casing and a cooperating valve head controlling the flow of gas from the generator to the burner, said parts being provided with passages adapted to permit the flow of gas from the generator to the burner when the valve is open and `from the generator to the condensing chamber when the valve is closed or partly closed, and an outlet for the condensed vapor leading from the condensation chamber.

5. The combination with a vapor burner, a gas generator, and a chamber for condensing gas generated in excess of that consumed by the burner, said chamber being provided with an opening discharging into the atmoshere and a condensation outlet leading rom the chamber, of a valve casing and a coperating valveV head, said -parts being provided with passages permitting the flow of gas from the enerator to the burner and condensing cham er.

6. In a vapor lamp, the combination with a burner, a generator and a condensing chamber, of a valve casing having a passage leading from the generator to the burner, and an adjustable valve head controlling said passage, said casing and head having passages coperating to open communication between the generator and the condensing ychamber when the flow of vapor to the burner is restricted.

7. In a vapor lamp, the combination with a burner, a generator anda condensing chamber, of a valve casing having a valve head therein, said casing and head being provided with passages controlled by the head for conducting vapor from the generator to the burner and from the generator to the condensinor chamber, said valve head coacting with the passages to open communication with the burner and shut off communication with the condensing chamber or vice versa.

8. In a vapor lamp, the combination with a burner, a generator and a valve casing having a passage affording communication between the generator and burner, of a cordensing chamber on the casing and an adjustable valve head in the casing controllingr said passage, and other coperating passage s in the casing and head for affording communication between the generator and condensing chamber, and means extending through the chamber and attached to the valve head for adjusting the latter.

9. In a vapor lamp, the combination with a burner, a generator and a valve casing,r having a passage connecting the generato' and burner, and a condensing chamber supported on the end of the casing, of a valve head adjustable in the casing having a per forated tubular extension passing througl. the chamber, said valve head and casing be4 ing provided with cooperating passages afl fording communication between the genera tor and the extension of the valve head.

10. The combination with a vapor burner a generating chamber and a valve casingl having a passage affording communicatior between the chamber and burner and having an internal recess, of a valve head in the casing having a tubular perforated stem` said head being provided with separate longitudinal passages opening at their adjacent ends into said recess and a condensing chamber surrounding the valve stem.

11. The combination with a vapor burner, and a gas generator, of a valve casing having a passage from the generator to the burner and provided with a by-pass chamber, a valve having two longitudinal assages opening into the by-pass cham er,` one of said longitudinal passages being closed by the casing when the valve is opened to allow free communication between the generator and burner, a condensing chamber adapted to be brought in communication with the by-pass chamber, and having a passage discharging into the atmosphere and a supplemental or return passage leading to the gas generator.

12. The combination with a vapor burner, of a gas generator, having a passage leading to the burner and a valve seat therein, a condensing chamber adapted to be brought in communication with the passage having a supplemental or return passage to the gas generator, and means for simultaneously shutting olf the How of vapor from the` generator to the burner and opening communication between the generator and condensing chamber, or vice versa, said means 1 including a valve coacting with the valve seat, and a passage in the valve opening into the first named passage.

13. In a vapor lamp, the combination with a burner, a generator and a valve casing having a passage connecting the enerator and burner, of a gland secure to` the outer end of the casing, a condensing chamber carried by the gland, a valve head adjustable in the casing having a perforated tubular extension passing through `the chamber, said valve head and casing being provided with coperating passages afford-V ing having a passage connecting the genera!y tor and burner, of a gland secured to the outer end of the casing, a condensing cham-` ber carried by the gland, a valve head adjustable in the casing having a perforated tubular extension passing through the chamber, said valve head and casing being j provided with cooperating passages afording communication between the generator and the extension of the valve head, and a i flange at the outer end of the condensing chamber surrounding and abutting the eX- A tension of the valve-head.

ALFRED H. S. SWAN.

Witnesses:

L. S. FoULKEs, D. R. COLE.

Copies of this patent ymay be obtained for ve cen-ts each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington,l D. C. 

